A soon to be q45 owner needs advice

[divinemann43]

Im about to buy my first real car. I want an 2002-04 q45. Im in the washington dc area. I want to know is there any problems that I should look out for? I know cars better than the average person. They only probem I see ppl complain about is the factory brakes, It needs bigger brakes right. Does all the 2002's have back up cameras and recline back seats?

(Im trying to not to spend over 15k, I see 02 q45 with 80k miles for like 13.5k, good deal right.) Im not flashy the only thing i want to add is 20% tint maybe, maybe tv's in the headreast eventully.

I think this is the best car for the money vs bmw, benz. This car is a true gem, I just would like some advice on what to look out for when purchasing my q45. any help would be much appreciated thanks to my q45 family.

[Q45tech]

Every used car with more than 60k will need new shocks and other items made of rubber to isolate suspension, engine, and transmission. Ozone, heat, and salt degrade and change rubber.

Always PAY a certified experienced TECHNICAN on the year and model a few hours to examine for known wear and tear items and to create a written list so you can add up the costs to use to reduce your offered price.

Evey car will need at least $3,000 [dealership prices] in repairs, replacements. Some of $3k may not be immediately obvious and may show up within 1st year.

Resellers usually slap in a new low quality battery, new low quality tires, spray with shiny detailing liquids and put them on the lot after a detailing!

Always remember that half of the decrease in new MSRP is because of the LIMITED future life of components.

Say a $5,000 transmission is half worn out, that's $2500 off, same with a $2500 differential that's $1250.

A $50k MSRP 7 year old car is worth 20% of new MSRP adjusted for mileage.

Used car dealers like to make $2,000 minimum and $3,000 if the can and a sucker comes in. What is fair for a business depends on how long it has sat on the lot with them paying the monthly note.

[qship96]

I would not pay a penny more than $9,000 for a 2002Q......and it would have to be a low mile perfect car to warrant that amount.

[Skibane]

They only probem I see ppl complain about is the factory brakes

The '02 models had a problem with excessive oil consumption. This was gradually fixed in later models - Are you aware of this?

[qship96]

Oil consumption problem was never "fixed" after 2002........just look on the M45 forum for proof. The vk45 is a smoker,toker,and a midnight joker.

[Q45tech]

The redesigned VK [from VH45] does use more oil but some of that comes from the uprating in HP by friction reduction without a displacement increase.

Many of the newish high output per liter engines from various brands use more oil!

[loystock]

I own an 03Q45 and has no oil consumption issue and it's definitely not a smoker. It's performance is much better than the Y33. Some members in the M45/Fuga forum with VK engine have addressed the oil consumption issue by adding an oil trap in the PCV system. I plan to make this mod this month.

You can check the Audi, BMW, MB and other car forums and you will find similar oil consumption issues with their performance cars. That's the penalty for trying to extract more power from an engine by loosening the piston rings. Piston ring friction contributes so much for the mechanical losses in an engine. Automotive engineers are hard at work in trying to reduce piston ring friction without increase in blow-by or oil consumption.

[qship96]

The redesigned VK [from VH45] does use more oil but some of that comes from the uprating in HP by friction reduction without a displacement increase.

Many of the newish high output per liter engines from various brands use more oil!

Yeah, but how many of them are getting engine swaps paid for by the manufacturer due to gross oil usage like the vk45??? Spend some time on the m45 forum, the problem is shockingly frequent .